The Roman World

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Rome Day 1 Geography Rome Day 2 Structure of the Republic Rome Day 3 Punic Wars

Rome Day 4 Republic to Empire Rome Day 5 Roman Society Rome Day 6 Christianity

Rome Day 7 Fall of Rome Rome Day 8 Review Unit Plan for Rome

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Section 4: Roman Society and Culture

Objectives

In this section you will learn how the Romans built a strong and unified empire.

1. Explain how citizens of the Roman Empire made a living and lead their daily lives.

2. How were science and the arts important in Ancient Roman civilization?

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Vocabulary

gladiators: Trained fighters, usually slaves, who fought to the death in arenas as public entertainment

Galen: Roman doctor who wrote a summary of all medical knowledge of his time

Ptolemy: An astronomer and geographer from Alexandria who believed that the sun, the planets, and the stars revolved around the earth

aqueducts: Bridge-like structures that carry water

Virgil: Greatest Roman poet who wrote a famous epic, the Aeneid

Horace: Roman poet who wrote of human emotions in odes, satires, and letters

Ovid: Roman poet who wrote love poems and the Metamorphoses, a collection of myths in verse

Tacitus: Great Roman historian who wrote Annals, a history of Rome under the Julio-Claudian emperors

Plutarch: Roman writer who wrote Parallel Lives, a collection of Greek and Roman biographies

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Section 4 Summary

To control their vast empire, the Romans created a well-organized government that kept order and enforced the laws. The emperor made decisions and appointed officials to govern the provinces. Roman law was revised as needed and applied throughout the empire. Government policies encouraging trade also unified the empire. Grain, wine, oil, cloth, pottery, and glassware were traded within the empire. Foreign trade items included African ivory, Chinese silk, and Indian pepper. The army built roads and bridges that promoted trade, travel, and communication. Finally, the Roman army strengthened the empire by keeping peace. Soldiers were stationed along the frontiers. Men from the provinces joined the Roman army to earn citizenship. Wealthy citizens had homes in the city and the country with running water and baths.

Most Romans, however, were poor. Some were farmers, laborers, or tenant farmers. Others crowded into the cities. Working people barely made a living. For Rome’s several million slaves, life was cruel. A few bought their freedom or were freed by their masters. The family was at the heart of Roman society. Fathers held most of the power. Mothers managed the household. Patrician women had some political influence and could own property. Rich children were taught at home. Other children attended school to study reading, writing, arithmetic, and music. Boys went on to secondary school. Early Romans sought harmony with their gods and the spirits of their ancestors. Later a state religion evolved with temples and ceremonies. Augustus was chief priest. Rituals to please the gods were part of daily life. The Romans also enjoyed theater, mime, dance, acrobats, and clowns. They liked brutal sports such as chariot races.

The Roman Colosseum: THE REAL TRUTH

Especially popular was combat between gladiators—trained fighters who were usually slaves and fought in arenas. They usually fought to the death. Public executions also drew crowds.

Roman scientists contributed to civilization by collecting and organizing knowledge in many fields and applying that knowledge to create practical solutions. Galen summarized all medical knowledge.

Ptolemy contributed to astronomy and geography.

Roman engineers built roads, bridges, public buildings, and aqueducts (system which moved water from the countryside to the cities) and invented concrete.

(discussion of Roman Architecture)

Roman architects built arches and vaulted domes. Roman writers created many works of literature, including epic, poetry, and biography. Roman scientists sought knowledge for its usefulness. The physician Galen wrote books summarizing all the medical knowledge of his day. Ptolemy, a scientist from Alexandria, Egypt, believed that the sun, planets, and stars revolved around the earth—an idea that was accepted for almost 1,500 years. He also contributed to geography. The Romans used Greek science to plan cities, build water and sewage systems, and improve farming and livestock. Roman engineers built roads, bridges, public buildings, and aqueducts—bridge like structures to carry water from the mountains. They created concrete, which made large buildings possible. Roman architects built arches and domes. Art and literature also developed.

Virgil, the greatest Roman poet, wrote the Aeneid, an epic about a prince of Troy. Another poet, Horace, wrote of human emotions in odes, satires, and letters. Ovid wrote love poems and the Metamorphoses, a collection of myths written in verse. The great historian Tacitus wrote Annals, a history of Rome that criticized government, the lifestyles of the wealthy, and the loss of morals and respect for law. Plutarch, a Greek, wrote Parallel Lives, a collection of Greek and Roman biographies. Romans adopted the Etruscan alphabet, which was adapted from Greek. This is the alphabet we use today. The Latin language is the parent of Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese as well as many English words.

1. What aspects of Roman rule helped unify and strengthen the Roman Empire?

1. The Roman Empire was unified by a strong government and a code of laws revised to fit the needs of the empire. Widespread trade and good transportation and communication systems also helped unify the Empire. The Roman army helped strengthen the empire by keeping peace.

2. What was daily life like for the Romans?

2. Daily life for the Romans was increasingly different for rich and poor. The rich enjoyed great luxuries, while the poor could barelymake a living. Life for Rome's many slaves was often cruel, especially in the mines or on large farms. The family was at the heart of Roman society. Young children and the wealthy were taught at home; other children attended schools. Rituals to please the gods were part of daily life. There were many forms of entertainment such as chariot races, circuses, and gladiator fights.

3. In what ways did the Romans contribute to science, architecture, literature, and language?

3. Romans contributed to civilization by collecting and organizing knowledge in many fields and applying that knowledge to create practical solutions. Galen summarized all medical knowledge, and Ptolemy contributed to astronomy and geography. Roman engineers built roads, bridges, public buildings, and aqueducts and invented concrete. Roman architects built arches and vaulted domes. Roman writers created many works of literature, including epic, poetry, and biography.